Going To Tournaments Was The `In Thing' For March 1866

Smithfield Reflections {Keyword} History

This is an entry from the diary written by my grandmother Martha Segar Pope Jordan dated March, 1866:

"Thursday, March 1 - Been very busy in the garden today. Sister Georgie and myself went up to see sister Nannie this evening. Weather continues beautiful. No company today.

"Friday, March 2 - This morning Mrs. Cotten, Evra Birdsong and Mr. William Womble came by on their way to the courthouse and stayed a short while. No other company.

"Saturday, March 3 - Weather pleasant. No company. Been quite busy all day getting ready to go to Sussex to the tournament.

"Sunday, March 4 - Doctor and myself went to Mill Swamp Church today. We dined at Mrs. Sallie Womble's. Found Fannie quite well and lively. Sue Pope was at church also. Quite a large congregation.

"Monday, March 5 - This morning Missouri went home and I was alone with the children, Doctor having gone to court. I went over and spent the day with sister Georgie.

"Tuesday, March 6 - Been at home all day alone for the first time this year. Doctor went to Smithfield today, got home quite late. Weather cold, but fair.

"Wednesday, March 7 - Lenius Edwards came over this morning quite early to invite us over to Georgie Hall's wedding, which is to take place at his home tomorrow night. Think I shall decline going without an invitation from Georgie.

"Thursday, March 8 - Received a very pressing invitation from Georgie this morning to attend her wedding, so I concluded to go. I went and had a splendid time. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves finely.

"Friday, March 9 - Today Doctor gave a fox hunt. We had several gentlemen to dine with us, but all left quite early this evening. Doctor and myself have had a quiet time.

"Saturday March 10 - At home all day. No one here except myself and the children. Doctor off visiting patients.

"Sunday, March 11 - Attended a Masonic funeral over the remains of A.W. Thomas at his father's. There was an enormous crowd. Sue Womble came with me home. Jesse Gwaltney is here also tonight.

"Monday, March 12 - Went up to Lenius's this morning. Came back and Doctor and myself went to John Holleman's and spent the day. Sue kept house for me.

"Tuesday, March 13 - Mr. and Mrs. Baily were down this morning, but stayed only a short time. Sue and myself went over to sister Georgie's this morning. Sue is helping me get ready to go to Littleton to another tournament.

"Wednesday, March 14 - Very busy today getting ready to start to Littleton early tomorrow morning. Doctor went after Missouri this morning. Lenius, sister Nannie, Carrie Hall, and Dolly came over this evening and stayed until bedtime.

"Thursday, March 15 - We started this morning before sunrise from home, came by Mr. Holleman's and he came with us, attended by Bill Womble, Billy Moore, Tom Edwards, Johnnie Pope, Bobbie Womble, on our way to Littleton to attend the tournament tomorrow. We had a splendid ride and arrived at Mr. Walter Scot's about 1 p.m., where we will remain until morning.

"Friday, March 16 - Today is the day of the grand tournament at Littleton. We arrived here at 9 a.m., the rain pouring in torrents. Ceased raining about noon, and the tilting commenced. The successful knight was Mr. Finley Harrison; Tom Edwards, next; Mr. M. Ellis, second; and Mr. Gus Ellis, third.

"Saturday, March 17 - We started from Littleton for home about 10 a.m., arrived at home about 5 p.m., very much pleased with our trip. Found all well at home.

"Sunday, March 18 - Have been at home all day, too much fatigued to go to church. Sue Womble and Jimmie Jordan went to Bethel to church. Sister Georgie and the children came over and spent the evening with me. Doctor has gone up to see Sue Bowden and will not be home tonight.

"Monday, March 19 - Mr. William Womble came by after Sue this evening. I feel so lonely since she left I have almost gotten the blues.

"Tuesday, March 20 - Athome all day. No company. Doctor gone hunting. We had quite a heavy rain this evening. Missouri and myself quite busy sewing and getting things to rights."

A Virginia Gazetteer, published in 1835, identifies Littleton, scene of the latest tournament, as a post office in Sussex County, and adds: "The people of Sussex are remarkable for their hospitality and kindness to strangers, as everyone who has visited the county can testify."